John Layne is an international, multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, and actor. He retired from a career in law enforcement that spanned 42 years. His professional writing career began in the sports industry, where he penned articles for national magazines and online publications. He drew literary inspiration from Louis L'Amour, Robert B. Parker, C. J. Box, and Lee Child. His passion for history and the Western genre inspired him to write numerous short stories, a trilogy of classic Western novels, and a new mystery/crime fiction series, all set in Texas.

His theatrical influences include actors John Wayne, James Stewart, Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks and directors John Ford, Howard Hawks, and Taylor Sheridan. John is a member of The Authors Guild, Western Writers of America, Oklahoma Writers Federation, Wyoming Writers Inc., and the Writers League of Texas.